Royal palace, royal garden.
Although the flowers are withered now, there are also cold plum blossoms blooming proudly. Coupled with the vast area, it is a rare and good place for these concubines who live deep in the palace to relax.
Accompanied by Nanny Yuan, Concubine De led the two palace ladies and walked slowly.
Although the rumors outside the palace could not reach her ears, her smart mind allowed her to imagine the possible disturbances and realized that when the news spread, some people would not let go of such an opportunity. .
Concubine De couldn't help but think of how she deliberately concealed it when Xia Jingyun entered the palace yesterday and asked about it, hoping that he would not blame herself when he learned the news.
He was tired enough and had helped himself enough. Speaking of which, he had thought of taking good care of him when he came to the capital, but unexpectedly, he had to rely on him for everything. How could he bother to bother her now?
"Hey! Isn't this the Imperial Concubine?"
A coquettish and exaggerated voice sounded in front of her. Needless to say, she was the only one who dared to talk to Concubine De in this way in the harem.
Sure enough, Concubine Shu walked over with her waist twisted, but Concubine De just looked at her calmly after hearing this.
Concubine Shu seemed to have remembered something, lowered her head bitterly, and bowed perfunctorily, "I have met Empress Dowager De."
The harem has its own dignity. Concubine De is the supreme imperial concubine who holds the phoenix seal. After the empress dowager and queens have passed away, the concubines in the sixth palace must bow and greet her when they see her. Even Concubine Shu, a concubine with a prominent family background, is no exception.
The two palace maids behind him straightened their backs, proud of their master's majesty.
But Concubine De was solemn. In the past, Concubine Shu would hide away in order not to salute her, but today she took the initiative to step forward, so she would naturally have something to say.
So she said lightly, "No courtesy," and walked away.
But just as she thought, Concubine Shu came here just to mock her, how could she let it go so easily.
"Where are you going, Concubine De, in such a hurry? Are you going to ask your Majesty to help you convince those three old gentlemen?"
Concubine De would be running away if she left at this time, so she simply stopped and said, "I need to ask for your instructions on what I am doing?"
"Oh, Sister De Fei, you have wronged your sister!"
Concubine Shu had a green tea look on her face, stroking her magnificent chest, "My sister heard that there are rumors everywhere in the capital that my sister is not overestimating her own ability and wants to invite the three masters of Tushan to be the teachers of the Jiaodong County Prince. Who knows that the three masters will be The old gentleman was so disgusted that he sent people three times in succession without even seeing him. He became a laughing stock among the scholars. My sister was afraid that her elder sister would not be able to think about it, and she was even more afraid that the King of Jiaodong County would not be able to think about it. Why don't you come over to comfort her quickly? !”
Concubine De looked at her pretentious look calmly, "So, I would like to thank you?"
"We are all sisters, as we should!" Concubine Shu said with a smile: "It's a pity that good things don't go out, and bad things spread thousands of miles. My sister missed the sisterly bond and wanted to ask my father to help stop it. Unfortunately, it was a step late and the news still spread. , it’s too late to stop others. Sister, don’t let your mind wander! This is not a big deal, it’s just a big loss. From now on, the Jiaodong County Prince will be looked down upon by scholars, and he won’t be able to hire any famous teachers. It doesn’t matter. of."
The so-called master humiliated his ministers to death. The two palace maids lowered their heads, their eyes a little angry.
But Concubine De knew that the more excited she became in this kind of verbal exchange, the more she would fall behind, so she smiled lightly and said, "Don't worry, you are living well. I will hold the Phoenix Seal and rule the Sixth Palace on my behalf. What reason is there to be unhappy?" How about living your life well every day?"
Concubine Shu's expression was stagnant. She didn't expect that Concubine De would not be angry like this. In a fit of anger, her father's teachings were thrown away and she sneered: "Don't worry, sister, my father has already found someone to go to Tushan for a trip. He missed me." It's almost time for Shao'er to find a famous teacher. The three masters of Tushan are very knowledgeable. The key is to have good taste and know who is worth teaching and who is not worth friends. When Shao'er becomes a teacher, he will definitely send a letter to his sister. Invitation, sister must come!"
When Concubine De heard about this vicious plan, she was also shocked. If one of these three really became the teacher of Prince Linjiang, the difference in reputation between the two would be huge in an instant.
After all, the world is ruled by the imperial power and the scholar-bureaucrats. If Zhe'er's reputation among the scholars has dropped like this, how can he develop in the future?
At this moment, although she could keep her expression unchanged, her heart was so messed up that she couldn't think of the right words to fight back, causing the two palace ladies behind Concubine Shu to let out a harsh sneer. .
Aunt Yuan glared coldly and said in a cold voice: "You don't understand dignity, so you should be beaten!"
The palace maid behind Concubine De was holding back her anger and was about to step forward to slap her mouth after hearing the words. Concubine Shu immediately protected her subordinates, "What? Are you going to attack out of anger?"
Not far away, some concubines who stopped to watch the show from a distance and did not dare to approach opened their eyes wide and looked at this rare conversation piece in the harem.
Just at this tense moment, a voice suddenly sounded from afar.
"Empress De Fei, you are here! It's easy to give this old slave a good meal! Concubine Shu is also here. I pay my respects to you two."
Concubine De and Concubine Shu all turned around, saw the visitor, and all said cordially, "Eunuch Gao, no courtesy."
Concubine De forced out a forced smile and said, "Eunuch Gao, why are you looking for me?"
Gao Yi glanced at Concubine Shu without any trace, then smiled at Concubine De and said: "Old slave, congratulations to Concubine De. Just now Tu Shan sent a letter. Three great scholars expressed their gratitude to Concubine De for her kindness and kindness and the prince of Jiaodong County's desire to learn. It was decided that on the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, a Spring Festival banquet would be held in the Imperial College to recruit five direct disciples. Regardless of princes, generals, merchants, and pawns, all those who have not yet reached the title can sign up. These three have not accepted disciples for many years. Your Majesty went to invite them in person. All in vain, but now that the news has come, His Majesty is praising you for doing a great thing for scholars all over the world!"
Concubine De, whose mood had hit rock bottom, was suddenly filled with surprise.
On the side, Concubine Shu widened her beautiful eyes and blurted out, "How is that possible!"
The smile on Eunuch Gao's face was still respectful and flattering, "Ms. Concubine Shu, this matter has been verified by three gentlemen's personal letters. It must be true."
Concubine De's face showed a happy smile again, "Thank you very much, Eunuch Gao, but do you need me to go to His Majesty to reply to the order?"
"Your Majesty just asked me to tell my wife the news, and I will resign."
"Eunuch Gao, walk slowly."
Eunuch Gao gave a slight greeting to Concubine Shu, then turned and left with the two little yellow gates.
Concubine De smiled and turned around, looking at Concubine Shu, "My sister is indeed right. The three masters of Tushan are very knowledgeable. The key is to have good vision and know who is worth teaching and who is not worth friends. When Shu'er becomes a disciple, he will definitely give him My sister sent me an invitation, she must come."
Concubine Shu stamped her feet angrily, looking aggrieved.
Concubine De suddenly looked at the two palace maids behind Concubine Shu, "I'm in the harem, I don't understand the dignity of others, I slap you!"
Aunt Yuan stepped forward directly, opened her bow left and right, and slapped her twice, which made the two palace maids so honest that they didn't even dare to cry.
"Sister, what else can you do?"
Concubine De asked with a deliberate smile.
Concubine Shu stared at her deeply, took a deep breath, her chest was about to burst with anger, and turned around to leave like a proud peacock.
As if she had just finished a big battle, Concubine De let out a long sigh of relief, turning her head to look outside the palace and murmuring in her heart: Brother, is that you?
——
In Jiang'an Hou Mansion, when Xia Jingyun returned to the mansion, an anxious Wei Yuanzhi and others immediately surrounded him.
"Gao Yang, where have you been?"
"Sir, what should we do in this situation?"
"Yes, the public opinion in Shilin is like this. It is obvious that someone is adding fuel to the flames and causing trouble secretly. If we can't think of a solution, what will happen to the reputation of the Jiaodong County Prince among scholars in the future! How many scholars are willing to join us? head!"
Su Yuanshang and Feng Xiuyun, the two insiders, although they did not speak, looked at him nervously, their eyes full of questions.
Xia Jingyun sat down on the main seat without hesitation, picked up the tea and drank it by the ton, then took a sip and said leisurely: "I went to Tushan."
! ! !
Except for the two insiders, everyone else was dumbfounded.
Xia Jingyun continued: "I went to see the three masters of Tushan."
Wang Ruoshui, the new left minister of the Ministry of Rites, who is also in the circle of scholars, immediately said: "What next? Have you seen it?"
Xia Jingyun smiled and said, "They are three kind old people."
Wei Yuanzhi didn't care much about the old man or his unkindness. He only cared about the result, "What happened in the end? Did you convince them? Which of them finally agreed to be a teacher for Prince Linjiang?"
Everyone's hearts are filled with excitement. If it succeeds, it will definitely reverse the criticism in an instant!
Everyone looked at Xia Jingyun, as if saying "As expected of you"!
Xia Jingyun felt a little regretful, but also said frankly: "We have fully exchanged views and enhanced our understanding."
Everyone blinked, and Gongsun Jing asked curiously: "What do you mean?"
"It's just that we have great differences. Both sides have their own opinions and almost quarreled."
Everyone:.
"Then what should we do!"
"If you can't take action, then we can only sit back and do nothing?"
"Shilang Wang, you are now the Shilang of the Ministry of Rites. Can you find some great scholars to help you talk to me?"
"Sir, don't you have a good relationship with that old professor from the Imperial College? If you don't ask him for help, you can't let it develop like this!"
Su Yuanshang remained silent and looked at Xia Jingyun with worried eyes. Xia Jingyun nodded and confirmed that he was not hiding anything.
The atmosphere in the room has gone through a rollercoaster-like ups and downs, and now it has taken a sharp turn, and it is even more anxious than before.
Previously, I at least felt that I still had a big move left, and there was still hope. Now that I have exhausted all my cards, I have no choice but to do anything.
"Master! Mr. Gongsun!"
A boy from the Hou Mansion suddenly ran in quickly. When he saw the room full of people, he was so frightened that his legs weakened.
Gongsun Jing also felt that he had no way to control his subordinates and his face was dull, so he scolded: "How unbecoming is it to act in a panic! Didn't you see that the matter was being discussed!"
The boy hesitated for a moment, then plucked up the courage and said, "There are rumors outside that the Three Masters of Tushan have just sent their disciples to deliver a letter to the Imperial College. They also wrote a letter to all the scholars in the world and posted it outside the Imperial College."
"These three old guys are really hateful! Even if you don't see them, they want to step on them like this!"
"That's right! Let me seize the opportunity and see if I don't vent my anger for the empress and the Prince of Jiaodong!"
"Don't worry!" People in the room were cursing, but Xia Jingyun stood up excitedly, because this was exactly the advice he gave to the three masters of Tushan. Could it be that these three masters figured it out so quickly?
He looked at the boy and stretched out his hand, "Bring it here!"
If you see such news and don't know how to copy the details before reporting it, such a person will be embarrassed and can be sent away.
Sure enough, the boy took out a copied piece of paper from his arms and handed it over.
Everyone quickly gathered around.
"To express my gratitude for the benevolent virtues of Empress Dowager De and the King of Jiaodong County's desire to learn, we have decided to hold a Spring Festival Banquet at the Imperial College on the eighteenth day of the first lunar month to recruit five direct disciples, regardless of princes, generals, merchants, or lackeys. Anyone who has not yet reached the top can sign up."
As they read, everyone's eyes widened, and finally turned into cheers.
"This letter clearly states that I am indebted to Empress Dowager De and to the Prince of Jiaodong. I don't think anyone dares to say that Empress has brought humiliation to herself and is the laughing stock of the world!"
"More than that, the Three Masters of Tushan have not accepted disciples for many years. It is even difficult to be a registered disciple. Now they are accepting direct disciples, and there are five at once. How can all scholars in the world not be grateful to the empress and the King of Jiaodong County? "
"These three masters of Tushan have done something good!"
"Why do I remember that Mr. Wei, you were scolding them just now?"
"Ahem, is there any? I don't remember!"
"Hahaha, no matter whether the King of Jiaodong County can succeed in becoming a disciple in the future, we have survived this disaster!"
"Isn't that right? Thanks to the young master for taking action. It has to be the young master!"
"Yes, you have to be the young master! Young Master, you actually lied to us and said we had a quarrel just now! It made us worry for so long in vain! This is too bad!"
Xia Jingyun smiled helplessly, "Everything I said is true."
"Look, you lied to us!"
The air in the room became happy.
(End of chapter)
